The Polk County High School FFA Junior and Senior Dairy Judging Teams participated in the 2011 North Carolina FFA State Dairy Evaluation Career Development Event on Nov. 16-17, in Rowan County, N.C.
The senior team placed first in the Pisgah View Federation and the Western Region and was state runner-up. The junior team placed first in the Pisgah View Federation and fourth in the Western Region and 32nd in the state.
At the state event, participants are scored based on how well they apply dairy cattle evaluation skills learned in the classroom. Each team evaluates six classes of dairy cattle and defends the reasoning behind their evaluation to a panel of judges. Participants also complete a written test and work collaboratively to select appropriate herd composition. Completing these activities successfully requires a good understanding of both animal science and herd management skills, said Chauncey Barber, agricultural teacher at Polk County High School.
The highest scoring team in this event is eligible to compete in the national FFA event at the National FFA Convention in 2012. The top three teams and high scoring individual will be recognized during the 84th North Carolina FFA State Convention in Raleigh on June 19-21, 2012.
This event is one of 42 different career development events offered to North Carolina FFA members on the state level. The North Carolina Dairy Youth Foundation sponsors the North Carolina FFA Association Dairy Evaluation Career Development Event.
The North Carolina FFA is a youth organization of 18,643 student members preparing for leadership and careers in science, business and technology of agriculture, with 243 local chapters across the state. FFA focuses on developing students’ potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Visit www.ncffa.org for more information.
– article submitted
by Chauncey Barber